Method of erecting reinforced concrete structures



@et 16, 1951 T- DUNNING 2,571,549

METHOD OF' ERECTINGKREINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES Filed June 20, 1949 E 8 W INVENTOR.

Patented Oct. 16, 1951 UNITED STATESCPATENT OFFICE `METHOD OF ERECTING REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES Luther T. Dunning, Norfolk, Va.

Application June 20, 1949, Serial No. 100,215

z'olaima (o1. 25-15'4) This invention relates to a method for erecting reinforced concrete structures such as columns, piers, walls or the like, and it is a particular object of the invention to provide a method in which the reinforcing rods of the structure are held in the desired upright position during the erection of the structure Without the use of any kind of bracing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of the character indicated above Wherein the concrete footing for the structure is poured first and an end portion of each reinforcing rod is bent in relation to its main portion so that the main portion will rest on the ground in self supporting position when the bent end portion is inserted vertically in the concrete of the footing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method for erecting reinforced concrete structures which embodies the steps of pouring the concrete footing of the structure, inserting end portions of the reinforcing rods bent at angles to the main portions of the rods vertically in the poured footing, permitting the concrete footing to set and adjusting the main portions of the reinforcing rods in upright positions.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method for constructing reinforced concrete structures wherein the costs of erecting such structures is small and wherein the large saving in time and material is effected.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view, taken through a wall constructed according to the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a portion of the completed wall.

Referring in detail to the drawings, there is shown a portion of a concrete structure, such as a wall I0, which is constructed according to the method of the present invention. The method of the present invention permits the construction of a reinforced concrete wall Without the necessity of using bracing for the reinforcing rods.

In constructing the wall I0, the footing trench or pier base II is first excavated, and then the concrete footing or foundation I2 is poured in the trench II. For reinforcing the Wall structure, a plurality of reinforcing rods I4 are em- CFI bedded in the wall structure. VThese rods, prior to their insertion in the concrete footing I2, each have an end portion I3 bent at an angle to the main portion I5 of the rods. Then, before the concrete footing I2 sets, the bent end portions I3 are inserted vertically in the footing and the main portions I5 of the rods rest on the ground to thereby support the rods.

After the concrete footing I2 has set, the main portion I5 of the rods is adjusted vertically (i. e. the portions I5 are moved from the dotted line position of Figure 1 to the solid line position thereof). Next, successive tiers of the Wall are molded or formed on the footing I2 in the manner described in detail in my copending application serial Number 716,688, med December 17, 1946.

In forming the wall ID, the mold I6 is used. ri'he mold I consists of side members M which are maintained in proper spaced relation by spacers S, and a C-clamp C maintains the parts of the mold in assembled relation. The detailed construction and use of the mold I6 is described in my copending application.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that a method of constructing reinforced concrete structures hasr been provided wherein the reinforcing rods are positioned in the structure without the necessity of using braces and the like. The concrete footing I2 is first poured, and before the concrete footing sets, the bent ends I3 of the reinforcing rods are inserted therein. Thus, the main portion of the rods will be supported on the ground. After the footing I2 has set, the main portions of the rods are adjusted vertically and the concrete structure is then molded around the rods. This method greatly reduces the cost of erecting buildings, overhead parking ramps, bridges and other structures. Since all braces for the reinforcing rods are eliminated, a considerable saving in cost of material and saving in time will be effected.

In actual practice, after the rods I4 have been straightened up, these rods may sometimes be moved out of alignment by workmen or other causes. To correct this condition, these rods are adjusted by hand to the correct position as the forms are set for pouring the concrete. Each layer of concrete holds the rods in position only at the point of contact and adjustment of the rods by hand immediately before pouring will insure that the rods are in the desired position.

What I claim:

1. The method of constructing a reinforced concrete structure consisting of the steps of pouring a concrete footing of the structure, then bending end portions of reinforcing rods at an angle to the main portions thereof and to a length substantially equal to the depth of the footing, inserting the bent end portions of the rods vertically in the poured footing and resting the free ends of the main portions thereof on the ground to support the bent end portions in their inserted positions, permitting the concrete footing to set, and thereafter bending the main portions of the reinforcing rods into upright positions.

2. The method of constructing a reinforced concrete structure consisting of the steps of pouring a concrete footing for the structure, then bending end portions of reinforcing rods at an angle to the main portions thereof and to a length substantially equal to the depth of the footing, inserting the bent end portions of the rods vertically in the poured footing and resting the free ends of the main portions thereof on the ground to support the bent end portions in their inserted positions, permitting the concrete footing to set, bending the main portions of the reinforcing rods into upright positions, and thereafter molding the remainder of the structure about the main portions of said rods.

LUTHER T. DUNNING.

* REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 775,095 Stoner Nov. 15, 1904 1,597,163 Krump Aug. 24, 1926 1,948,213 Heltzel Feb. 20, 1934 Dill Jan. 8, 1935 

